"Guard What Has Been Entrusted to You"

Dear Friends in Christ,

“For freedom Christ has set us free,” St. Paul tells the Galatians (5:1). We saw last week how closely freedom and truth are aligned, recalling Jesus’ own words that He is Truth (Jn 14:6), and that this truth would set us free (Jn 8:31-32). As I was pondering how deeply truth, freedom, and Christ are interwoven, I encountered St Paul again, speaking to Timothy, “O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you.  Avoid the godless chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, for by professing it some have missed the mark as regards faith (1 Tim 6:20-21).  I was deeply struck, picturing a tired St Paul, filled with Him Who is Love, Truth, Freedom, and Divine Knowledge Itself, desperately desiring that others come to know Jesus and to guard what He has revealed in Sacred Scripture and the dogmas and doctrines of His Holy Catholic Church through the power of His Most Holy Spirit.

St Paul’s exhortation gives me pause as I reflect on the many recent, disturbing events in our country and the world. I hear him saying, “O Mother Mary Paul, guard what has been entrusted to you…,” and I shudder at the power and expectation of this plea as it resonates deeply in my soul.  I considered the small group of spiritually hungry Catholics who met last night in a local home seeking to discover just exactly what they have been entrusted to guard.  I am sure that the Lord was smiling as so many of His Beloved gathered together in search of Him: Truth, Freedom, Knowledge, Love. 

To each of us, St Paul passionately exhorts, “ O__________, guard what has been entrusted to you.” Let us pray, “Holy Spirit, come upon me. Anoint me with freedom in Christ.”